Adult learners across Lewisham celebrated last week as they achieved the borough’s best ever GCSE results.

Of the 47 adult learners who took Mathematics GCSE this year, 83% scored grade 4 or above, and of the 31 adult learners who took English GCSE, 68% scored grade 4 or above.

Scoring at least grade 4 – comparable with the old ‘C’ grade and generally acknowledged as a ‘pass’ – has transformed the outlook of many of this year’s learners.

Delivery driver Mark Winslow left school 34-years-ago with no qualifications, taking time over the last year to study in the evenings and weekends.

“Thanks to Adult Learning Lewisham I now have a grade 7 in Maths and a 6 in English," he said.

“The zoom meetings were tough for me and I did contemplate quitting but thanks to my tutor Karen, who persuaded me to continue, I persevered and received a great result.

“I now have the studying bug, so I’ve signed up for a French GCSE.”

Surrya Edwards had been out of education for several years, and now has aspirations to go to university.

She achieve grade 5 in English GCSE in 2020, and grade 6 in Mathematics this year.

“Since receiving my results I have not stopped smiling and celebrating as Adult Learning Lewisham has given me the main tools needed to achieve my next goal of going to university and studying business management," she said.

Mabel Amadin is the mother of two young children and works as a complex carer.

She said: “Despite not having enough time to study as well as I ought to, due to a busy family life, I got a grade 5 in my English GCSE. I was blessed, privileged to be a learner at the Brockley Centre.”

Cllr Andre Bourne, Cabinet member for Culture, said: “This year’s results are a fantastic achievement for Lewisham’s adult learners and they should all be proud of their hard work, especially after such a difficult year.

“Adult Learning Lewisham’s tutors have greatly supported the learners to succeed this year and set them on the path to pursue their ambitions.

“Learning does not stop at school and it is never too late in life to start learning. I would encourage other residents in Lewisham to consider how Adult Learning Lewisham’s courses might benefit them.”

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